Here in Valdivia we have lots of 0ºC nights and chilly mornings, so even double-glazed PVC is not enough to keep it warm without heating. (But the walls are warm, the roof is insulated very well and there're absolutely no holes.)Dosedmonkey wrote:Re-insulation Space Cat, I know its colder down your way, but I got to say, since I've moved in to this house, I only used the gas heating the first two nights, before I sealed off some of the excess ventilation and sealed the windows and doors better. I've been surprised how well insulated this relatively cheap build has been. Cement outer walls and floors, with interior plasterboard, and single glaze PVC windows seems to be all you need in Santiago region, if they properly sealed the windows and doors with rubber P-shape strips. Cost me about 10 mil in strips, and used some bubble rap for a few positions, job done, made money back in one weeks worth of gas.
I have kept the ventilation open to the loft spaces, as there has been problems with eaves getting moist, rotting and collapsing, thats why you'll find new builds having big ventilation on the lofts all around the world now.
We're using 750w infrared heater 24/7 and temperature is ok most of the time (3 small rooms + big kitchen). But I'm thinking about upgrading next winter to a vented kerosene heater or maybe a pellet-based stove (though I don't want to add to this horrible smoke pollution).